Obituaries

Dianne L. Bair Cortez, 56, of Ellport, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, at UPMC Mercy. Born in Ellwood City on July 15, 1959, she was the daughter of the late Howard C. and Dorothy Evans Bair, Sr. Dianne was a 1977 graduate of Riverside High School. She enjoyed riding her motorcycle and spending time with friends and family, but most of all, she loved spending time with her sons and grandson. Dianne is survived by her sons, Jeffrey A. Cortez of Ellwood City and Tyler R. Cortez of Ellport; a grandson, Sidney Michael Cortez; four sisters, Barbara Weingartner…

S. Bernice Houk, 100, of Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Ellwood City, passed peacefully into God’s hands on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015 from Cherry’s Assisted Living Home in Tucson. She was born over a century ago in Jackson Center, Pa., on Oct. 11, 1915 to the late Clare S. and Mary Blanche Hillman Turner. Bernice had recently celebrated her 100th birthday with a large gathering of friends and relatives in Tucson. Bernice was a graduate of Farrell High School and later Westminster College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in music. She also did graduate work at both the…

Betty M. D’Amico, 90, of Ellwood City passed away on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 at Allegheny General Hospital. Born in Ellwood City on Oct. 18, 1925, Betty was the daughter of the late Nick and Frances Foderaro D’Amico. She retired from G.C. Murphy Co. in 1985 after 37 years of service as a bookkeeper and cashier. Betty was a member of Holy Redeemer Church. She always joined the Murphy Co. retirees for their monthly lunches. Betty was everyone’s favorite aunt. She enjoyed spending time with her family, always remembering birthdays and special occasions. Betty is survived by her sister, Ann…

Grace M. DeMark, 97, of Beaver St., Wampum passed away Friday, Dec. 4, 2015 at Vibra Hospital of Mahoning Valley following a short illness. Born Sept. 7, 1918 in Wampum, she was the daughter of the late Peter and Theresa Aiello DeMark. Grace owned and operated Grace’s Beauty Shop in downtown New Castle for 45 years. She was a lifelong member of the former St. Monica Church in Wampum and a current member of Holy Redeemer. Grace graduated from Wampum High School and the New Castle Beauty Academy. She loved cooking, reading and cross stitching. Her most precious time was…

Ray M. Keener, 68, of Ellwood City passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 at his residence. Ray was born on Jan. 7, 1947 in Pittsburgh to the late James and Lillian Pulaski Keener. Ray was an auto body technician, and had been the owner and operator of Keener’s Auto in Wurtemburg. He had previously worked at Pearsall’s Auto Village and also Timpano’s Dodge in Ellport. He is a former member of the Sons of Italy in Ellwood City and the Polish White Eagles in Chewton. Ray was a CB Radio Operator and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Ray is survived…

Joziah John “Jo-Jo” Christofferson, 4, of Ellport, passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2015, in the Pittsburgh Children’s Hospital. Joziah was born on Dec. 30, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pa. He is the son of the late Scott M. Christofferson and Holly Mulhollen Gatto-Christofferson of Ellport. Jo-Jo enjoyed camping, being in the outdoors, music, watching Barnie and the Wiggles and most of all being around people. Joziah is survived by his mother, Holly; his siblings, Carly, Kayla, Melissa, Eryn, Rachael, Cella, Xena, Audrey, Tigist, Ro, Sean, Davidson, Tyler, Keshawn, Sami, Zach, Paxton, Quinn, Austin, Hogan, Darion, Roni, Ashley, and Sayje; his…

Charlie Baird, 79, of North Sewickley Twp., Beaver Falls died Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015 at his residence. Although in ill health, death was unexpected. Born July 26, 1936 in North Sewickley Twp., he was the son of the late Thomas and Josephine Baird. He was married for 33 years to Shirley Baird as they were married Oct. 30, 1982. She survives. Charlie owned and operated his own trucking company for 35 years. He then drove for FBC Chemicals in Mars until his retirement in 1998. He was also a part owner of Eisenbrown, Baird International Harvester Dealer. He was a…

Maria L. “Mimi” Allen, 27, New Castle died unexpectedly on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at the Jameson Memorial Hospital. Born July 7, 1988 in New Castle, Pa., she was the beloved daughter of Robert E. “Bobby” Allen and the late Teresa Shuler Kaczmarek . Mimi was a cheerleader and softball player at Union High School, where she graduated. She loved the outdoors and fishing. She loved life and family to the fullest. She was a devoted mother to her babies, Thomas “TJ” Ingram, Teresa, Aydrian and Elisea Jackson. Survivors in addition to her father and children are her brothers, Markus…

Rosella M. Shaffer Smith, 96, of Ellwood City, formerly of Wampum passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 at UPMC Passavant Hospital surrounded by family following a brief illness. Born May 3, 1919 in Ellwood City, she was the daughter of the late Robert Herring and Mary Jane McCauley Herring . Rosella was a homemaker and also a retired custodian from the Riverside Area School District. She enjoyed playing bingo, crocheting and reading. She cherished time spent with her family and her dogs. Survivors include a daughter, Carol (Greg) Wood of Wexford; five grandchildren, Erin Wood, Justin (Jamie) Wood, Colby…

Rose Gottuso, 90, of Ellwood City, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in the Ellwood City Hospital. Rose was born on March 24, 1925, in Ellwood City, to the late Biagio and Concetta Cione Cientanni. She graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1943. Rose had worked at the Ellwood City Ledger as a secretary, and then for the Ellwood City Area School District as a library assistant for over 40 years. She was a member of the Holy Redeemer Parish, the Golden Agers and Challenges. Rose was an avid bowler and had belonged to many bowling…